Victims identified in deadly Akron crash on I-76, alcohol a possible factor

AKRON, Ohio - Police said speed and possibly alcohol were factors in an Akron crash on Interstate 76 that killed two mothers.

The Summit County Medical Examiner's Office reported passengers Rochelle Braziel, 35, of Akron, and Jeanette Weiss, 38, also of Akron, were both pronounced dead at the scene, following the wreck around 8:15 p.m.

The ME's office said the driver of the Honda Accord, James Woodruff, 28, along with passengers Derrick Smith, 30, and Brian Hudson, 27, all from Akron, were all taken to nearby hospitals for treatment.

Woodruff and Hudson remain in serious condition; Smith is said to be in satisfactory condition.

Akron police said Woodruff was driving westbound on I-76 at the Central Interchange when the vehicle went off the road and hit the concrete barrier before going airborne. The car landed on its roof, completely crushing the right side.

The accident shutdown I-76 for more than five hours before authorities could clear the scene.

According to police, it could have been days before the flipped vehicle would have been found, because of where the car landed off the road, had a witness not seen and reported the accident to authorities.

"The vehicle was in a bush area with a lot of vegetation and the vehicle was actually hard to see," said Akron Sgt. Michael Vavro.

Police found several beer cans in the crushed car and believe alcohol and speed were factors in the deadly crash.

Braziel leaves behind four children. Relatives said Woodruff was the father of three of the kids.

Braziel's cousin, who did not want to be identified, said Braziel was always there for him.

"She's a good person. She's got a kind heart, a loving person. She loved her kids," the cousin said.

Weiss was the mother of one child, according to family members.

Hudson suffered a severe spinal cord injury according to his roommate, Terrence Young.

"Just got to pray and hopefully wish the best for him and everybody else," Young said.

Sgt. Vavro said officers will reconstruct the accident and talk with survivors and witnesses. He said charges are pending.